XINHUA PHOTOS OF THE DAY

XINHUA PHOTOS OF THE DAY

(240327) -- BEIJING, March 27, 2024 (Xinhua) -- People take a train of the Lagos Rail Mass Transit (LRMT) Blue Line in Lagos, Nigeria, Feb. 29, 2024. Undertaken by China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) in July 2010 and completed in Dec. 2022, the first phase of the Lagos Rail Mass Transit (LRMT) Blue Line corridor spans 13 km and covers five stations. It began commercial operation in September of 2023. As a symbolic project of the Belt and Road Initiative, the Blue Line project is the first electrified railroad and cross-sea light rail project in West Africa. (Xinhua/Han Xu)

Chinese company completes first phase of light rail project in SW Nigeria

STORY: Chinese company completes first phase of light rail project in SW Nigeria DATELINE: Dec. 23, 2022 LENGTH: 0:01:48 LOCATION: LAGOS, Nigeria CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of Blue Line project 2. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): BABAJIDE SANWO-OLU, Governor of Lagos 3. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): ZHANG ZHICHEN, Chairman of CCECC Nigeria Limited STORYLINE: Nigeria's southwestern state of Lagos on Wednesday marked the completion of the first phase of a 27-km electric-powered light rail project. Undertaken by China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) since 2010, the completed tracks of the Lagos Rail Mass Transit (LRMT) Blue Line project span 13 km in the first phase and cover five stations. It is part of an ambitious transport master plan, which aims to meet the demands of the state as Nigeria's commercial and economic hub and one of the world's fastest-growing megacities. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): BABAJIDE SANWO-OLU, Governor of Lagos "We are making a remarkable history on a final infrastructur

'Memories of Sadako'

'Memories of Sadako'

HIROSHIMA, Japan - Keiko Miyamoto, who was involved in the publication of ''Memories of Sadako,'' the English translation of a Japanese picture book on young A-bomb victim Sadako Sasaki in Hiroshima, poses with the book in front of the Children's Peace Monument at Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima on Dec. 27, 2010.

Saito agrees on 1-year deal with Brewers

Saito agrees on 1-year deal with Brewers

TOKYO, Japan - File photo shows Japanese pitcher Takashi Saito. Saito reportedly agreed with the Milwaukee Brewers on a one-year deal on Dec. 27, 2010, after the Atlanta Braves unconditionally released him in October.

Miyazaki hamburger sets Guinness record

Miyazaki hamburger sets Guinness record

MIYAZAKI, Japan - Photo taken in July 2009 shows a giant hamburger made in the city of Miyazaki. The producer of the hamburger -- 92 centimeters in diameter, 44 centimeters in height, 136.2 kilograms in weight -- said Dec. 27, 2010, that it had been certified as the world's biggest hamburger on sale by the Guinness Book of World Records.

Comedian completes Eurasia leg of global marathon

Comedian completes Eurasia leg of global marathon

QINGDAO, China - Japanese comedian Kampei Hazama arrives at a port in Qingdao in Shandong Province, eastern China, on Dec. 27, 2010, completing the Eurasia leg of his run-and-sail ''Earth marathon.'' He is aiming to complete his round the world trip in Osaka on Jan. 21, 2011.

Construction of world's biggest LNG reserve tank

Construction of world's biggest LNG reserve tank

TOKYO, Japan - Photo taken on Dec. 27, 2010, shows a hole -- about 70 meters in diameter and 60 meters in depth -- at the construction site for Tokyo Gas Co.'s storage tank for liquefied natural gas, which is set to be the world's largest of its kind, at its Ogishima plant in Yokohama.

Hosogai looks to jump-start career in Germany

Hosogai looks to jump-start career in Germany

TOKYO, Japan - Bayer Leverkusen-bound Japanese midfielder Hajime Hosogai speaks at a press conference in Saitama on Dec. 27, 2010. Hosogai, who has agreed to transfer to Leverkusen from Urawa Reds, said he is ready to face the physical challenge of the German Bundesliga.

DPJ makes decision on Ozawa's testimony

DPJ makes decision on Ozawa's testimony

TOKYO, Japan - Combination photo shows Prime Minister Naoto Kan (L) and Ichiro Ozawa, a power broker in Kan's Democratic Party of Japan, in Tokyo on Dec. 27, 2010. The DPJ decided the same day that a parliamentary ethics panel should hold a vote on summoning Ozawa to testify over a scandal involving his political funds management body.

Chiba Marine Stadium renamed

Chiba Marine Stadium renamed

CHIBA, Japan - (From L to R) QVC Japan Inc. President Hayashi Sasaki, Chiba Mayor Toshihito Kumagai and Lotte Marines baseball club president Ryuzo Setoyama hold up a signboard reading ''QVC Marine Field,'' the new name for Chiba Marine Stadium, on Dec. 27, 2010. The city said it had reached a 10-year sponsorship agreement with the local television shopping company, including the naming rights for the stadium, which will come into effect in March.

Sunrise Party snubs Kan's offer to join ruling coalition

Sunrise Party snubs Kan's offer to join ruling coalition

TOKYO, Japan - Sunrise Party of Japan leader Takeo Hiranuma (R) and Secretary General Hiroyuki Sonoda take part in a press conference in Tokyo on Dec. 27, 2010. The lawmakers said the party decided to decline an offer by Prime Minister Naoto Kan to be part of the ruling coalition led by the Democratic Party of Japan.

Snow-covered Japan highway reopens

Snow-covered Japan highway reopens

FUKUSHIMA, Japan - Cars begin running again on snowy Route 49 in the town of Nishiaizu in Fukushima Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Dec. 27, 2010. The road was closed for some 33 hours after an accident stranded hundreds of vehicles.

Star Flyer to launch regular Busan-Kitakyushu flights

Star Flyer to launch regular Busan-Kitakyushu flights

KITAKYUSHU, Japan - Star Flyer Inc. President Shinichi Yonehara (L) speaks at a news conference in Kitakyushu, Fukuoka Prefecture, on Dec. 27, 2010. The company said it will launch passenger flights between Kitakyushu and South Korea's Busan in July 2012, becoming the third Japanese airline to run regular international services after Japan Airlines Corp. and All Nippon Airways Co.

Fishery firm says money to Russians not off-the-book

Fishery firm says money to Russians not off-the-book

KUSHIRO, Japan - Munemoto Nakayama, president of fishery firm Kanai Gyogyo, speaks to reporters in Kushiro, Hokkaido, on Dec. 27, 2010. Nakayama, whose company is one of four fishery firms allegedly fined over illicit payments to Russian officials, denied acting improperly, saying the payments were a necessary business expense.

Gov't, Okinawa to outline new development law

Gov't, Okinawa to outline new development law

TOKYO, Japan - Okinawa Gov. Hirokazu Nakaima speaks to reporters at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on Dec. 27, 2010, after meeting with Cabinet members. The central government and the prefecture agreed to outline the framework of a new law by the summer of 2011 to replace the current law on support for Okinawa's development, which expires at the end of March 2012.

Lack of snow at ski resorts

Lack of snow at ski resorts

SAPPORO, Japan - Yoshimitsu Sakai, manager of the Mt. Racey ski resort in Yubari, checks the condition of man-made snow on a slope on Dec. 13, 2010. The ski resort in the northernmost Japanese prefecture of Hokkaido postponed its initial opening date of Nov. 27 due to a lack of snow.

Seven & I to close Seibu Yurakucho department store Dec. 25

Seven & I to close Seibu Yurakucho department store Dec. 25

TOKYO, Japan - Aerial photo shows the Seibu Yurakucho department store (two buildings in front) in the Yurakucho district of downtown Tokyo. Seven & I Holdings Co. said on Jan. 27, 2010, it plans to close the Yurakucho store on Dec. 25.

Model of China Pavilion in 2010 Shanghai World Expo unveiled

Model of China Pavilion in 2010 Shanghai World Expo unveiled

SHANGHAI, China - A model of the China Pavilion to be built for the World Exposition in Shanghai in 2010 is unveiled on Dec. 18 as the groundbreaking ceremony to start construction of the pavilion was held in Shanghai the same day. The red national pavilion, 63 meters high and 27,000 square meters in area, is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2009.

JAL to ax about 170 pilots, flight attendants

JAL to ax about 170 pilots, flight attendants

TOKYO, Japan - Pilots and flight attendants of Japan Airlines Corp. ask the company to retract its plan to cut some 170 pilots and flight attendants in Tokyo on Dec. 27, 2010, as its voluntary retirement program has failed to meet a job reduction target under its revival efforts. The airline is expected to execute the cut on Dec. 31. (Kyodo)

CORRECTED Diary of fisherman affected by 1954 H-bomb test

CORRECTED Diary of fisherman affected by 1954 H-bomb test

KOCHI, Japan - CORRECTED NAME OF SHIP, OTHER INFO Photo shows a diary of a Japanese fisherman from Kochi Prefecture who was in the Bikini Atoll in the South Pacific following a 1954 U.S. hydrogen bomb test. A local civic group revealed Dec. 27, 2010, that the newly found diary written by Takeshi Yamanaka, a crew member of the Kaifuku Maru No. 5, in Tosashimizu, indicated he was likely to have been exposed to radiation after the United States conducted the test in the area on March 1, 1954, as he logged his symptoms like headache and diarrhea. (Kyodo)

CORRECTED Diary of fisherman affected by 1954 H-bomb test

CORRECTED Diary of fisherman affected by 1954 H-bomb test

KOCHI, Japan - CORRECTED NAME OF SHIP, OTHER INFO Photo shows a diary of a Japanese fisherman from Kochi Prefecture who was in the Bikini Atoll in the South Pacific following a 1954 U.S. hydrogen bomb test. A local civic group revealed Dec. 27, 2010, that the newly found diary written by Takeshi Yamanaka, a crew member of the Kaifuku Maru No. 5, in Tosashimizu, indicated he was likely to have been exposed to radiation after the United States conducted the test in the area on March 1, 1954, as he logged his symptoms like headache and diarrhea. (Kyodo)

Miyazaki hamburger sets Guinness record

Miyazaki hamburger sets Guinness record

MIYAZAKI, Japan - Photo taken in July 2009 shows a giant hamburger made in the city of Miyazaki. The producer of the hamburger -- 92 centimeters in diameter, 44 centimeters in height, 136.2 kilograms in weight -- said Dec. 27, 2010, that it had been certified as the world's biggest hamburger on sale by the Guinness Book of World Records. (Kyodo)

Gov't, Okinawa to outline new development law

Gov't, Okinawa to outline new development law

TOKYO, Japan - Okinawa Gov. Hirokazu Nakaima speaks to reporters at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on Dec. 27, 2010, after meeting with Cabinet members. The central government and the prefecture agreed to outline the framework of a new law by the summer of 2011 to replace the current law on support for Okinawa's development, which expires at the end of March 2012. (Kyodo)

Saito agrees on 1-year deal with Brewers

Saito agrees on 1-year deal with Brewers

TOKYO, Japan - File photo shows Japanese pitcher Takashi Saito. Saito reportedly agreed with the Milwaukee Brewers on a one-year deal on Dec. 27, 2010, after the Atlanta Braves unconditionally released him in October. (Kyodo)

Japan Crown Prince, Crown Princess

Japan Crown Prince, Crown Princess

TOKYO, Japan - Japanese Crown Prince Naruhito and his wife Crown Princess Masako arrives at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on Dec. 27, 2010, for a year-end luncheon with Emperor Akihito, Empress Michiko and other members of the imperial family. (Pool Photo)(Kyodo)

Sunrise Party's Hiranuma

Sunrise Party's Hiranuma

TOKYO, Japan - Takeo Hiranuma, the leader of the minor opposition Sunrise Party of Japan, heads to a meeting of lawmakers of the party at its head office in Tokyo on Dec. 27, 2010, to discuss Prime Minister Naoto Kan's offer to join the ruling coalition. (Kyodo)

Seven & I to close Seibu Yurakucho department store Dec. 25

Seven & I to close Seibu Yurakucho department store Dec. 25

TOKYO, Japan - Aerial photo shows the Seibu Yurakucho department store (two buildings in front) in the Yurakucho district of downtown Tokyo. Seven & I Holdings Co. said on Jan. 27, 2010, it plans to close the Yurakucho store on Dec. 25. (Kyodo)

DPJ makes decision on Ozawa's testimony

DPJ makes decision on Ozawa's testimony

TOKYO, Japan - Combination photo shows Prime Minister Naoto Kan (L) and Ichiro Ozawa, a power broker in Kan's Democratic Party of Japan, in Tokyo on Dec. 27, 2010. The DPJ decided the same day that a parliamentary ethics panel should hold a vote on summoning Ozawa to testify over a scandal involving his political funds management body. (Kyodo)

Diary of fisherman affected by 1954 H-bomb test

Diary of fisherman affected by 1954 H-bomb test

KOCHI, Japan - Photo shows a diary of a Japanese fisherman from Kochi Prefecture who worked on the Fukuryu Maru No. 5, which operated at Bikini Atoll in the South Pacific following a 1954 U.S. hydrogen bomb test. A local civic group revealed Dec. 27, 2010, that the diary written by Takeshi Yamanaka in Tosashimizu indicated he was likely to have been exposed to radiation after the United States conducted the test on March 1, 1954, in the area, as he logged his symptoms, including headache and diarrhea. (Kyodo)

Diary of fisherman affected by 1954 H-bomb test

Diary of fisherman affected by 1954 H-bomb test

KOCHI, Japan - Photo shows a diary of a Japanese fisherman from Kochi Prefecture who worked on the Fukuryu Maru No. 5, which operated at Bikini Atoll in the South Pacific following a 1954 U.S. hydrogen bomb test. A local civic group revealed Dec. 27, 2010, that the diary written by Takeshi Yamanaka in Tosashimizu indicated he was likely to have been exposed to radiation after the United States conducted the test on March 1, 1954, in the area, as he logged his symptoms, including headache and diarrhea. (Kyodo)

Comedian completes Eurasia leg of global marathon

Comedian completes Eurasia leg of global marathon

QINGDAO, China - Japanese comedian Kampei Hazama arrives at a port in Qingdao in Shandong Province, eastern China, on Dec. 27, 2010, completing the Eurasia leg of his run-and-sail ''Earth marathon.'' He is aiming to complete his round the world trip in Osaka on Jan. 21, 2011. (Kyodo)

Sunrise Party snubs Kan's offer to join ruling coalition

Sunrise Party snubs Kan's offer to join ruling coalition

TOKYO, Japan - Sunrise Party of Japan leader Takeo Hiranuma (R) and Secretary General Hiroyuki Sonoda take part in a press conference in Tokyo on Dec. 27, 2010. The lawmakers said the party decided to decline an offer by Prime Minister Naoto Kan to be part of the ruling coalition led by the Democratic Party of Japan. (Kyodo)

Construction of world's biggest LNG reserve tank

Construction of world's biggest LNG reserve tank

TOKYO, Japan - Photo taken on Dec. 27, 2010, shows a hole -- about 70 meters in diameter and 60 meters in depth -- at the construction site for Tokyo Gas Co.'s storage tank for liquefied natural gas, which is set to be the world's largest of its kind, at its Ogishima plant in Yokohama. (Kyodo)

Chiba Marine Stadium renamed

Chiba Marine Stadium renamed

CHIBA, Japan - (From L to R) QVC Japan Inc. President Hayashi Sasaki, Chiba Mayor Toshihito Kumagai and Lotte Marines baseball club president Ryuzo Setoyama hold up a signboard reading ''QVC Marine Field,'' the new name for Chiba Marine Stadium, on Dec. 27, 2010. The city said it had reached a 10-year sponsorship agreement with the local television shopping company, including the naming rights for the stadium, which will come into effect in March. (Kyodo)

Hosogai looks to jump-start career in Germany

Hosogai looks to jump-start career in Germany

TOKYO, Japan - Bayer Leverkusen-bound Japanese midfielder Hajime Hosogai speaks at a press conference in Saitama on Dec. 27, 2010. Hosogai, who has agreed to transfer to Leverkusen from Urawa Reds, said he is ready to face the physical challenge of the German Bundesliga. (Kyodo)

Fishery firm says money to Russians not off-the-book

Fishery firm says money to Russians not off-the-book

KUSHIRO, Japan - Munemoto Nakayama, president of fishery firm Kanai Gyogyo, speaks to reporters in Kushiro, Hokkaido, on Dec. 27, 2010. Nakayama, whose company is one of four fishery firms allegedly fined over illicit payments to Russian officials, denied acting improperly, saying the payments were a necessary business expense. (Kyodo)

Star Flyer to launch regular Busan-Kitakyushu flights

Star Flyer to launch regular Busan-Kitakyushu flights

KITAKYUSHU, Japan - Star Flyer Inc. President Shinichi Yonehara (L) speaks at a news conference in Kitakyushu, Fukuoka Prefecture, on Dec. 27, 2010. The company said it will launch passenger flights between Kitakyushu and South Korea's Busan in July 2012, becoming the third Japanese airline to run regular international services after Japan Airlines Corp. and All Nippon Airways Co. (Kyodo)

Snow-covered Japan highway reopens

Snow-covered Japan highway reopens

FUKUSHIMA, Japan - Cars begin running again on snowy Route 49 in the town of Nishiaizu in Fukushima Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Dec. 27, 2010. The road was closed for some 33 hours after an accident stranded hundreds of vehicles. (Kyodo)

Lack of snow at ski resorts

Lack of snow at ski resorts

SAPPORO, Japan - Yoshimitsu Sakai, manager of the Mt. Racey ski resort in Yubari, checks the condition of man-made snow on a slope on Dec. 13, 2010. The ski resort in the northernmost Japanese prefecture of Hokkaido postponed its initial opening date of Nov. 27 due to a lack of snow. (Kyodo)

'Memories of Sadako'

'Memories of Sadako'

HIROSHIMA, Japan - Keiko Miyamoto, who was involved in the publication of ''Memories of Sadako,'' the English translation of a Japanese picture book on young A-bomb victim Sadako Sasaki in Hiroshima, poses with the book in front of the Children's Peace Monument at Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima on Dec. 27, 2010. (Kyodo)